The word beautiful truly found a name and face in Partth Thakur – the founder of The Wishing Factory (TWF), a Thalassemia Major patient himself. His presence lit up any space he stood in. His smile, humility, courage and the zest to cheer for Thalassemia patients across the country were infectious and awe inspiring.

He was a man with a mission. Undeterred by his illness, he believed that when one puts their heart and soul into something, the results will always be meaningful. TWF was born exactly from this intention. What began as a gesture of fulfilling wishes for underprivileged children slowly grew into an ISO 9001:2015 certified not for profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of young Thalassemia Warriors in India.

In his own words, “TWF as everyone calls it was built out of a strong urge to do something meaningful in life, and perhaps this was because, as a child, the fear of not being able to live as much as I wanted always bothered me. When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”

The core belief at The Wishing Factory is to touch the lives of warriors in a way that strengthens their mind and spirit so they face challenges head on. “Transform to perform” was something Partth lived by. He revolutionised the perception of what a Thalassemic person is capable of, leading with technology, enthusiasm, fast yet thoughtful decision making, and unwavering humility despite having no formal degree in management.

In the past five years, the NGO has extended medical support to patients from across the country through various projects, schemes and Thalassemia Wellness Centres. Many patients have shown considerable improvement and now lead healthier lives, inspired by Partth who truly walked the talk.

TWF also initiated its own awards called the Thalassemia Warrior Awards in 2019, honouring patients who made conscious efforts to maintain their health and never lost hope, despite the hardships they faced. These awards continue to recognise and encourage resilience.

Physically, Partth may not be around, but his father, Rajesh Thakur, is carrying his legacy forward with immense pride. He often shares, “From head to toe whatever I am wearing, including my wristwatch, belonged to my son. The chair I sit on to share the journey of TWF is also his. While he knew he had limited time to live, he never once stopped living. He truly celebrated life – a life that was meaningful and a journey that continues to inspire.”

As a father, he beams with pride speaking of the legacy his son created. He describes TWF as a new generation NGO whose work is exemplary, touching countless lives by giving hope to families. Unlike most organisations that are started in memory of a Thalassemic child, TWF remains the only NGO founded by a Thalassemic himself, surprising many with its impact, intent and scale.

“TWF fulfils wishes of Thalassemia warriors and gives them experiences which they can always cherish. From witnessing their first snowfall in Manali, to their first plane and helicopter rides, to roller coasters at Imagica, the serenity of Goan beaches, or something as simple yet precious as a Barbie doll or a piano; he made it all happen,” shares Rajesh.

Partth once wrote, “We’ve moved from wishes to experiences, which is why we now fulfil experiences that shape life for the better. Like when a 20 year old Thalassemia Major patient wished for an oven so she could begin a home bakery and sell cupcakes. Well, YOU made that possible. We hope these experiences continue to empower patients and instil confidence.”

A simple study table, a teddy bear, a musical instrument, things that may seem mundane to us have brought immense comfort, joy and purpose to the lives of many warriors.

“He made these warriors meet their favourite celebrities and gave them moments they will remember for a lifetime. Kunal Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Prabhas, Huma Qureshi, Kamal Haasan and many more have met our patients. We hope to create many more beautiful memories,” adds Rajesh.

Partth’s work also inspired a nationwide movement. The campaign #AadhiwaliZindagiMitao reached over 70 million people on World Thalassemia Day, bringing together celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha, Kunal Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Farah Khan, Rajkummar Rao and many more. Featured across major newspapers, the campaign won four awards for its impact and creativity. His vision most recently took shape in the campaign #DekhlengeThalassemiako, pushing gynaecologists to make Thalassemia testing mandatory for every pregnant woman.

Rajesh often says, “We have books, games, movies and toys for patients so they can have a more pleasant experience during transfusion and chelation. Art based therapies, tuition support, skill based workshops, birthday celebrations and health sessions are regularly conducted.”

Each wellness centre is designed to be vibrant, warm and comforting, blending recreation with healthcare. These centres allow patients from economically weaker backgrounds to access medical facilities at highly subsidised or free rates, improving their quality of life and making treatment less daunting.

To ensure holistic development, TWF also conducts sports events, art workshops, personality development sessions, fun activities and celebrations, helping warriors enjoy life beyond their diagnosis.

The biggest challenge, however, remains awareness. “A simple blood test before marriage can prevent a lifetime of suffering,” urges Rajesh. India has nearly 30 million carriers of Beta Thalassemia, an alarming number that must be an eye opener.

The team at TWF is looking to build a network of gynaecologists & pathologists across the country to join them in making #ThalassemiaMuktBharat a success.